Automotive Key Account Manager - Laser Process Solutions - Novi, MI

As an Automotive Key Account Manager, you will be responsible for maintaining and expanding long-term relationships with key customers in the North American automotive sector. You will act as the central point of contact for strategic OEM and Tier 1 accounts, ensuring their needs are understood, communicated internally, and fulfilled to the highest standards. A critical focus will be aligning customer applications and programs with IPG Photonics' laser process solutions, enabling higher precision, improved efficiency, and greater design flexibility in vehicle manufacturing.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Account Management & Growth

• Develop and execute strategic account mapping and penetration plans for key North American automotive companies, with emphasis on laser-based manufacturing applications.
• Partner with the sales team to identify and capture expansion opportunities within existing accounts, especially where laser processes can add measurable value.
• Build relationships with decision-makers at multiple levels within target organizations, including engineering, manufacturing, and procurement.

Market Intelligence & Strategy

• Create comprehensive North American automotive market overviews, identifying trends, key players, and the competitive landscape for laser-based production processes.
• Design strategies to address specific market needs based on market intelligence, including new applications for laser welding, cutting, additive manufacturing, and surface treatment.
• Collaborate with global IPG teams to understand market dynamics, emerging technologies, and best practices for laser applications, and adapt them for the North American market.
• Align regional strategies with IPG's global go-to-market approach and product roadmap for laser solutions.

Program & Project Coordination

• Manage product introduction, process integration, change management, and issue resolution for laser system implementations in customer production lines.
• Coordinate with engineering, quality, supply chain, and production teams to ensure laser process requirements and specifications are met.
• Monitor delivery performance, system uptime, and process quality for laser equipment.

Industry Engagement

• Represent IPG Photonics at North American automotive industry events, trade shows, and technical conferences focused on laser manufacturing technologies.
• Stay informed on market trends, competitor activities, and emerging laser-based process innovations in the automotive sector.

Reporting & Administration

• Maintain accurate CRM records, sales forecasts, and account plans.
• Prepare and present account performance reports to management, highlighting growth from laser process adoption.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, or related field (MBA preferred).
• 5+ years in sales or key account management within the automotive industry.
• Experience in laser process technologies or capital equipment sales to automotive manufacturing environments strongly preferred.
• Proven track record of managing complex customer relationships and achieving revenue growth.

Skills & Competencies

• Excellent communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
• Technical understanding of laser welding, cutting, marking, or related processes used in automotive manufacturing.
• Strong problem-solving and project management skills.
• Proficient in CRM tools and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Willingness to travel across North America (up to 30-50%).